My daughter is in boot camp, she failed the final APFT situp portion and was restarted. She was injured in the beginning of the first session. She is now around 5 weeks into the second session. She still hasn't passed the situps. She was told she could maybe get a waiver for the situps and go on to AIT. Is this true? Also, how many times can she be restarted? The drill sgts. and all the others really like her.

quote:

Originally posted by cathybrown:
My daughter is in boot camp, she failed the final APFT situp portion and was restarted. She was injured in the beginning of the first session. She is now around 5 weeks into the second session. She still hasn't passed the situps. She was told she could maybe get a waiver for the situps and go on to AIT. Is this true? Also, how many times can she be restarted? The drill sgts. and all the others really like her.

I think there is more to this story than you have been told or have posted.

I say this because as far as I know, you don't get Day 1 Restarted for failing one event on the final APFT.

There were two guys in my BCT platoon who couldn't pass the run portion of the APFT. After failing the final APFT, these guys were re-tested every other day right up to Graduation Day. They both passed it on Graduation Day.

As for how many times you can be recycled in BCT-- I have *heard* that three is the "magic number." After failing BCT 3 times, I would imagine you would be chaptered out for failure to perform to standard or failure to adapt. BCT these days isn't that tough.

There are no waivers for failing the APFT. If someone cannot pass the APFT in BCT (minimum 50% in each event) then that person will never pass a *REAL* APFT in the Real Army, where standards are 60% in each event. Repeated APFT failure in the Army means no promotions, and quite possibly being chaptered out.

Try to get more info from your daughter. There's more to this story that you're getting.

Good Luck to your daughter.

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-10

Thanks so much for your reply! My daughter seems to get different info from different drill sgts. Supposedly after she takes the APFT test and if she doesn't pass it will be up to the Commaner if she stays or goes. She pretty much has been doing what the others in her platoon are doing, I also was told she would be working on just her PT. The most frustrating part is that she is being told different things. Hopefully she will pass, thanks again!

Indeed, if she was injured...she would be on a profile...once the profile ended, she woudl need to be allowed recovery time before having to do a PT test.
And I believe Matt is close, I do know she would be re-cycled back to the start of the 2nd phase...week 4..??..to give her more time to get the PT test passed.
But yes....find out more info....
SSG Mike

Thanks! She was put on profile, but she had a two week break in between the new platoon coming in. My main worry is how much longer they are going to give her since she gets told different things. I thought they had seperate PT for those who didn't pass, but I guess not. Hopefully they let her continue, she really loves it.

She will do regular PT if she is off profile. They may have her go to remedial PT as well to help strengthen her up. not going to have much free time to hit the gym...you know??...
But should have at least 4 weeks to get it to pass the PT test. Keep in mind Basic only need to pass at 50% of standards to pass Basic. Migh want to tell her to go for 60-65% which will be what they want in AIT.
Now the only one that counts is a Record PT test. They will give her Diagnostic ones to gage how she is doing....Some COs will do a Diagn...and use it as a Record in some of those cases as your daughter's cause they are a Recycle... Tell her not to kill herself in trying to pass in basic...Get the passing score to move on to AIT..then she can improve there...
SSG mike

New hurdle to cross, she was able to text me briefly yesterday, she sprained her ankle on Friday and didn't pass the test yesterday. She told me they were doing the paperwork and sending her home. She said she wants to come home and get in great shape and reenlist. Will that be an option? Thank you very much for your replies, you have been a great help in all this confusion. I truly appreciate it

Personally...I would fight discharge and fight to stay(which is what I did). She could ask to remain, heal, do physical therapy, go to Physical Rehab Platoon and get in shape and remain a soldier.

Getting out creates HUGE question marks. It will depend on her RE Code (more than likely a 3 which will require a wait and waiver) and medical exams at the point she tries to reenlist. It is hard for soldiers with perfect records to reenlist right now....and waivers are hard to come by. This may change in the future, but I would not want to risk it. If I wanted to be a soldier, I would do what it takes to stay a soldier now.

There are doctors in the military who will put trainees out. There are others that will work to retain them. An ankle sprain is not, generally speaking, serious enough to warrant a discharge without compounding factors.

I tore ligaments in my ankle, and all the docs wanted to keep me. The physical therapist was one of those who recommends many for discharge, and one of the PA's followed his recommendation and was going to submit my paperwork for discharge. I told him that I would like to see a specialist to see if there is any way I could be allowed to remain in the Army. I was scheduled for an appointment with a podiatrist who stated that he saw no need to discharge me, but he wanted to place me on a long-term temporary profile. When I explained to him that my company will hold me over after training on that profile, he made it a permanent profile with the caveat that it be reviewed within 18 months. This allowed me to remain. I was not going to accept a discharge without a fight. I was respectful, asked questions, and followed up and through.

Thanks for the info! I will send her an overnight letter with the information. She really wants to stay in, maybe she will get the letter in time to do something about this. Thanks so much again!!

Honestly, if she wants to be a soldier...it is better to stay in provided she can. A sprain should not be severe enough to discharge her. That is a pretty common injury.

It can be so hard to get back in. It took me almost a year, and it took me putting up one heck of a fight and staying on top of a recruiter who never turned in the medical paperwork, scheduling things, etc. Once I got a good recruiter...it went smooth, but we were slowed down by the previous recruiters actions. This was before they started denying waivers and really exceeding recruiting goals. It is not a guarantee.

It is great that you are so supportive. Just try to keep everything positive and help her fight through all the boredom, frustration, etc. Being on profile, held-over, stuck in a training environment sucks. It is not like the regular Army, and she probably feels like she isn't worth the dirt under someone's boot at times. Truth is....if she is able to succeed, and persevere through the challenges.....her BCT graduation will mean more to her than a lot of soldiers.

You guys are great! I sent her the letter, hopefully she has the guts to really plead her case. After all this training she should! I told her how difficult it will be to try and reenlist.She had the same problem with recruiters in the beginning too. Been a mess since she signed up! I'm just waiting to hear from her, I'm suprised that she hasn't been able to call to let me know what has happened. If she does get sent home, I'm sure I'll be bugging you guys for more info on reenlisting!!

She was able to text me real quick last night, she is almost done signing papers and will be at 120th reception in a week or two. Whatever that is! She isn't getting that letter I sent for her to fight hard until today, so it's probably too late. So here is another question, (you guys must love me!) Is there another branch that would be easier to get in to when she tries to reenlist? Or should she stay with the army.

quote:

Originally posted by cathybrown:
She was able to text me real quick last night, she is almost done signing papers and will be at 120th reception in a week or two. Whatever that is! She isn't getting that letter I sent for her to fight hard until today, so it's probably too late. So here is another question, (you guys must love me!) Is there another branch that would be easier to get in to when she tries to reenlist? Or should she stay with the army.

It's really hard to say. I would say staying Army would be easier, but you never know. Once she is eligible things may have changed. It is really going to depend on her discharge.

quote:

As for how many times you can be recycled in BCT-- I have *heard* that three is the "magic number." After failing BCT 3 times, I would imagine you would be chaptered out for failure to perform to standard or failure to adapt. BCT these days isn't that tough.

Matt is right I worked with a soldier who didnt pass his final APFT and went to what they call FAT camp he failed 2 more times then the third try he passed and went on to AIT,

Bob

I just found out that the chapter she will receive will allow her to reenlist after six months. (failed those situps again!) Does that sound right and since that will be in her file will it still be hard for her to go back in? I was told it will be up to her recruiters to do their stuff right.

If you read over all the posts in the recruiting forum about people wanting to get back in, they have perfect reenlisment codes (RE-1) that recommend their reenlistments into the armed forces and they are STILL having problems. And others who have less than desireable reenlistment codes are getting denied flat out with no consideration, despite being told they can reapply in six months no problem. The thing is, they CAN apply all they want, but they most likely won't get back in in this recruiting climate because they will need waivers and there are THOUSANDS out there who don't and are desperate for a job.

None of the branches are taking prior service right now, especially not when they see her RE code is for failing to meet the minimum required fitness standards. They probably won't put much effort into trying to submit a waiver like that.

Like everyone has said, she needs to fight to stay in. Getting out is the kiss of death to her career in the military.

That being said.....no...joining another branch is not really an option....I still want to know what they are putting her out on...if it is a Medical Discharge....are they giving her a MED Board...?? To seeif she qualifies for payments due to injury that happened while in service...
If they are putting her out...on a medical discharge...telling her to come back in 6 months....is it Medical leave/convlecent leave..??
The RE code will be a big determination....yes a 1 is preferable...but as I am a good example...I went into the Reserves, after 3yrs active...(got into a little trouble...whoops!!) with a code of 3C....now that allowed me to serve in the reserves...which I did till I retired with 23 yrs total in APR07....
Tell her to stay if she able...find out what the paperwork sending her home is exactly...and then tell her this is NOT the end and she can serve in one fashion or another...may not be right now....but....
SSG Mike

I will try and find out the RE code, as far as I know it will have something to do with not passing situps. I haven't even been able to talk to her yet! thanks for the encouragement. I don't think she can stay, she has already almost finished the paperwork, but she will need all the help she can get when she starts the whole process over again. Thanks for the idea of reserves, didn't think of that!

hey CB....just wondering if you had heard anything....one side note...nice to see the army taking it's sweet time processing the 'paperwork'....note--not sure in your state but in mine, if you have been on active duty for a certain amount of time....eligible for unemployment.....something that could be useful in her case....she can use the extra time to recover...]
Also...once she does come home....whip her up to the local VA...should be able to seek follow up care there...possible re hab...ect...if she got 6months on active...or what is on her DD-214, she might be eligible...worth the trip to find out..SSG Mike

Wow! thanks for all that! I was able to FINALLY talk to her on the 23rd. She should be coming home within the week. Probably let me know the day before! A six hour flight and I probably won't get much notice to go pick her up, go figure! We will deifinitely go for unemployment, I'm also signing her up for some workout classes where I work. AND they just built a VA office here. (small town) She is very determined to reenlist, so I will keep in touch, I will let her know when she gets home she can talk to all you guys. You've been great and have kept me from falling apart sometimes! For sure will follow up on the rehab for her back. PS---didn't want to bothering you too much!